Depression is common in individuals with chronic illness who are
overweight and obese. We examined the relationship between depression
symptoms, perceived physical function, and physical performance in 105
adults with osteoarthritis of the knee who were overweight and obese.
Forty-two percent of the sample was classified as depressed according to
the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. A moderate
relationship was observed between perceived physical function and
physical performance in patients who were not depressed that did not
exist in patients reporting depressive symptoms. Poorer function and
younger age accounted for 29% of the variance in depressive symptoms.